God always keeps his promises. That’s easy to say but sometimes hard for us to believe. God promised to lead the Israelites from Egypt into the Promised Land. But then Pharaoh trapped them against the Red Sea. It’s much harder to believe God’s promises when we see the Red Sea of challenges standing between the Promised Land and us.

God promises, “Do not be afraid. … The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still” (Exodus 14:13,14). Who fights for you? The Lord! The One who created the universe and sustains all things with his mighty hand, who destroyed the world with a flood, who sent ten miraculous plagues on Egypt to free his people, who sent his Son to save this world. That puts things in perspective. With that résumé, which promise is impossible for God to keep? 

Are you worried about your forgiveness and your ability to forgive? You need only be still. Look at the cross and see the Lord fight to the death for you. Are you worried about things that could rob you of life: sickness and accidents? You need only be still. Look at the empty tomb, and see the Lord defeat death for you. Are you worried about having enough? You need only be still and see Jesus’ ascended hands raised in blessing over you. In all those ways, you hear the gentle whisper of your Savior-God: “Do not be afraid. I will fight for you. You need only be still.”